The Octagonal Nine-Story Stone Pagoda of Woljeongsa

[Visitor]

I have heard that Woljeongsa is home to numerous national treasures and relics.

[Curator]

After passing through the Four Heavenly Guardians Gate, the stone statue of a bodhisattva, kneeling down politely and gracefully, comes into the view. Across from it is an octagonal nine-story stone pagoda, National Treasure No. 48. This tall, refined, octagonal nine-story stone pagoda of Woljeongsa is an artwork that was created during the early Goryeo Dynasty. A gentle wind blows from the scene behind the corners of the octagonal rooftop, even after a thousand years. The foundation stone is shaped like a lotus blossom, enshrining the whole structure like it encases the Buddha. The landscape and lotus flowers decorated in gold demonstrate the elaborate artwork of the Goryeo stonemasons. This stone pagoda was created to enshrine the sacred relics of the Buddha. It is the tallest stone pagoda that exists today.